{"id":218795,"date":"2026-09-18T23:52:37","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T21:52:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/?p=218795"},"modified":"2026-09-18T23:52:38","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T21:52:38","slug":"important-for-travelers-from-illinois-a-regular-drivers-license-is-no-longer-enough-for-domestic-flights-here-are-the-documents-that-are-accepted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/important-for-travelers-from-illinois-a-regular-drivers-license-is-no-longer-enough-for-domestic-flights-here-are-the-documents-that-are-accepted\/","title":{"rendered":"IMPORTANT FOR TRAVELERS FROM ILLINOIS: A regular driver\u2019s license is no longer enough for domestic flights, here are the documents that are accepted!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Passengers over the age of 18 flying on domestic routes in the U.S. must present valid identification at the TSA security checkpoint. The REAL ID rule has been in effect since May 7, 2025, but many travelers are still unsure what this means for their driver\u2019s licenses.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Illinois residents, the most important thing to know is this: if you have a regular driver\u2019s license or State ID without the REAL ID star, that document is no longer sufficient on its own at the TSA checkpoint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An ordinary driver\u2019s license is not enough<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An Illinois driver\u2019s license without the REAL ID designation is still valid for driving and other purposes, but it is not sufficient as the sole document for passing through the TSA checkpoint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The REAL ID version is identified by a gold star in the upper-right corner of the document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your license does not have a star, that does not mean you have to get a new one immediately. There is another option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Serbian passport will do the job<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Illinois travelers who have a valid Serbian passport can use it at the TSA checkpoint for a domestic flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TSA accepts foreign passports, so a person living in Chicago or elsewhere in Illinois does not need a REAL ID if they already have a valid Serbian passport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A U.S. passport and passport card, Green Card, U.S. work permit, as well as certain Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI cards are also accepted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, REAL ID is not the only way to get through airport security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What if you have neither a REAL ID nor a passport?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

That is where the situation becomes more complicated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TSA may refer you for additional identity verification, during which officials will attempt to confirm who you are. As of February 1, 2026, a $45 fee applies to this procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, paying the fee does not automatically mean you will be allowed through security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If TSA is unable to confirm a passenger\u2019s identity, they will not be allowed to pass through the security checkpoint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look at the upper-right corner of your driver\u2019s license or State ID card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A gold star means you have a REAL ID.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is no star, bring another document accepted by TSA for a domestic flight, such as a valid passport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illinois residents who want to obtain a REAL ID must apply in person at an appropriate DMV facility. Documents are required to verify identity, date of birth, Social Security number and Illinois residency, including two proofs of address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Chicago residents, there is also a REAL ID Supercenter at 191 N. Clark St.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t let them turn you away at the checkpoint<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are traveling by air from Chicago or elsewhere in Illinois soon, check your identification before departure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A REAL ID or another document from the TSA-approved list can get you through security. An ordinary Illinois driver\u2019s license without a star is no longer sufficient on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TSA also warns that the list of acceptable documents may change, so it should be checked before traveling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MORE TOPICS:<\/mark><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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TRAGIC END TO SEARCH FOR YOUNG CHESS PLAYER: Body of missing Luka pulled from the Sava River! (PHOTO)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AFTER FOUR YEARS ON THE RUN: American wanted for murder of 15-year-old girl in Tennessee arrested in Ljubljana!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

RTS HOST REMOVED FROM THE AIR: Dragan Vu\u010deli\u0107: \u201cI did not want to remain silent. If that is the price, I will pay it with pride!\u201d<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source<\/strong>:\u00a0<\/strong>tsa.gov<\/a>, Foto: <\/strong>Printscreen Instagram<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Passengers over the age of 18 flying on domestic routes in the U.S. must present valid identification at the TSA security checkpoint. The REAL ID rule has been in effect since May 7, 2025, but many travelers are still unsure what this means for their driver\u2019s licenses. For Illinois residents, the most important thing to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2169,"featured_media":218796,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"newspack_featured_image_position":"","newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_show_updated_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[875,71,12042,14347,2190,23,8814],"class_list":["post-218795","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-america","tag-aerodrom","tag-amerika","tag-dokumenta","tag-domaci-let","tag-ilinois","tag-sad","tag-vozacka-dozvola","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t